Life, here at Chez Smudger, is very very quiet.
Everyone is either at work, or at School. The normal hobbies and past times carry on as they have done, un-hindered for the last few week (well at least sort of, as you will see later)
The Snow and Cold appears to be on its way out (that’s if you believe what the Weather man/Lady tells you, and I ALWAYS take what they say with a pinch of salt - 
), but , yet, we British will still carry on our obsession with the wind and rain, the warmth of a good days Sun, the calm of an Autumn Day.
At the minute, there is “sort of” nothing to talk about, but then again:
EBay Auctions, are they such a good bargain?
this is just one of those “passing thoughts” sort of things, and I do know that people have made mention of this type of thing before. Sometimes finding something on eBay may not be the bargain it first appears.
The story is as follows.
Our latest “Family” hobby is, as you may have seen on previous entries, Archery. And this is not a cheap sport. With having to buy decent Bows, Arrows and all the bits and pieces, ebay has been a wee bit of a boon. But, something happened in the last few days to change my mind ( a little bit). I was sat, as is my wish, just scanning through the ebay pages, when I saw several auction items for Stablization Bars.
A short explanation. The idea of the Bars is to Stabilise (surprise, surprise) your Bow, giving the whole structure a balance when you place the bow string under tension. To be fair, the family weren’t doing that badly, for newbies, but it always a good thing to aspire to something better. So, having talked to several other Archers, having read a few articles, both in print and on the Internet, my thoughts turned to getting a set of Bars.
back to the Internet.
eBay was searched, and sure enough there were several entries for Stablizser Bars, and , also , not at that bad a price. As it was the beginning of the month, and with several bills and the like to pay, I contacted one of the companies that we wanted to buy several Archery Consumables from (Fletchings etc)
I just mentioned to the sales Advisor that I was looking at the cost of the Stablization Bars.
“No Problem Sir,” came the reply
Just to say, I got a brand new, complete set of starter bars, on offer admittedly (but the full price cost wasn’t that bad either) far, far cheaper than the prices being quoted for the same item on eBay.
Worth the thought is it not?
A Pain in the Neck ……
or rather a pain in the shoulder, arm and a lack of feeling in the fingers of one hand.
As some of you will already know (i have made mention of this before) I have a nerve trapped in my shoulder which, apparently, causes a loss of sensation in the middle fingers of my right hand. Over the past few weeks I have been receiving Physiotherapy for this condition, as the anti-inflammatory drugs are making some, but little difference.
The Physio, in some respects, is even more uncomfortable than the condition, even though the dis-comfort is momentary. The theory being, I think, that if the various muscles, joints and the like, are freed up, then the pressure on the nerve will be released, and the pain and discomfort will go.
If I understand the whole thing correctly (and sometimes I think I may just “miss” the idea) my C3 nerve is the trapped one, and this in turn effects several other nerves (C6, C7 & C8) which are the ones that effect my elbow and hand.To be honest, at the minute all I have is a pretty bad back ache, but that may well be due to the additional exercises i have to carry out, and the need to sit up “Ram Rod” straight to get the correct posture.
I know the pain and dis-comfort I have at the moment, is nothing compared to many, and, for the most part, it is NOT blinding , sharp pain. It is the , possibly, more wearing ache and tiredness. that feeling that you have been exercising for hours on end and your muscle, your body just has nothing left to give. You have to focus, and overcome this “fatigue”, this pain. I know that my problem in miniscule compared to many. Although my arm aches, has a lack of feeling sometimes, at least my arm still moves, works, has strength to be used.
I’m feeling a little low, a little fed-up, as you could possibly guess.
Smudgers moan is over for now.
I truly hope that everyone who calls in and has a read, has a lovely and peaceful day
God Bless
The Smudger - 
